Do We See the Migrant Crowds, Harassed and Helpless?

The searing photograph of the sad discovery of their bodies on Monday, captured by journalist Julia Le Duc and published by Mexican newspaper La Jornada, highlights the perils faced by mostly Central American migrants fleeing violence and poverty and hoping for asylum in the United States.

According to Le Duc’s reporting for La Jornada, Óscar Alberto Martínez Ramírez, frustrated because the family from El Salvador was unable to present themselves to U.S. authorities and request asylum, swam across the river on Sunday with his daughter, Valeria.

I’m not posting their picture because I don’t want to disturb anyone without warning, but it tore me up. A father and daughter drowned, face down in the Rio Grande. From El Salvador. Oscar and his 23 month old daughter, Valeria. He brought her across the river and put her safely on the bank. He went back to get her mother and Valeria apparently got scared and wanted her Daddy. So, she went into the river after him. The current took her and Oscar went after her. He got to her but could not get them both out of the river. It took them both. Their bodies were later found face down a distance away in the muddy water along the shore.

I’ve heard people say these migrant parents don’t care about their children. Ignorance and hard heartedness leads people to that conclusion. Americans who bash migrants for trying to get here have zero idea what they are talking about. Oscar died with his daughter in his arms trying to save her life. Tens of thousands of parents and children have made the dangerous journey seeking refuge and a new life in a country where they think they can make it and where they don’t have to fear drug cartels, violence, and oppression. The stories are heartbreaking.

This isn’t about politics. It isn’t about what should happen policy-wise. I can talk about that another time. But, if you can look at Oscar and little Valeria lying face down along the water’s edge with her little arm around the neck of her Daddy who died trying to save her after endeavoring to bring her to America to have a hope and a future – if you can look at all of that and not want to weep and “rend your garments” in lament over what is happening to real people, I don’t know what to say.

Churches at the border are serving and working on behalf of these people. But, the rest of us? Do we see? Do we care? Can we be bothered? Hundreds of thousands have come to us in desperate need just this year. We talk about missions around the world and we don’t see the masses coming to our own borders. If we can’t be moved to even feel anything, to even pray – what religion do we follow? I’m not saying that we can fix all of this. But, can we at least see? Can we pray? Can we have compassion?

All over America, once migrants have gotten past the border and asked for asylum, ICE will then release them. Then, they travel to towns and cities across the country. Do we see them? We can help them. Some of us are doing so. I’ve seen the great work that is happening among many churches. What about the rest of us?

Matthew 9:36 “When he [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

What comes up in us when we see the crowds of migrants in desperate need? Fear? Anger? Disgust? Political division? What happens when we see them in our own communities? What about when we see Oscar and Valeria lying face down in the mud, two precious souls made in God’s image and loved deeply by their Creator? May God have mercy on us so our hearts don’t become so hard that we don’t care, that we lose all sense of compassion, and that we can only think about border security and politics and who supports who and elections and not offending people and then lose the humanity of all of this – lose sight of the very people Jesus loves and came to die for.

Jesus sees Oscar and Valeria. He sees the crowds. Do we?

If not, do we see Jesus?

Southern Baptists need a collective effort to enable us to participate and cooperate in ministry to be down at the border to pray for, serve, love, and share Christ with desperate people. I’ve been three times in the past many months, most recently to El Paso. I saw church sanctuaries turned into migrant shelters and heard stories of people fleeing violence, threats of murder, extortion, rape, corrupt public officials, drug cartels, and oppression. I was told by three different sources working with them that between 50-75% of the migrants coming from Central America were Evangelical Christians. Many of them are fleeing persecution and targeting for their faith because they are vulnerable. The Catholic ministries working with the migrants asked the Evangelicals why they weren’t more involved in receiving their own people. They said, “these aren’t our folks, but we are helping them. Why aren’t you doing more?”

Yes, there are evangelical churches working hard at the border. The gospel is being shared and people are coming to Christ. People are being prayed with, ministered to, and served. Many churches are working hard and doing abundant work from Brownsville to San Diego. I’ve seen them. It is so inspiring. Will we help them? Will we join in? This isn’t political. This is just ministry.

Do we see the crowds harassed and helpless? Do we see Oscar and Valeria? Do we see what Jesus sees?

Do we see Jesus?

EDIT: After writing this, I saw on Facebook a Nazarene pastor friend from Florida write this. I was stunned. I texted him right away. I couldn’t believe it. He met Oscar and Valeria just a couple of weeks ago. Oscar was a follower of Jesus. The pastor writes ..

My brother died today.
He attended the CMA Church and knew many Nazarenes.
Pastor ____ invited us go with him to share a meal with a group of people seeking asylum at the Mexico/USA border a couple of weeks ago while we were vacationing in Texas/Mexico.
That’s when I met Oscar and his precious little girl.
Oscar thanked the group we were with for the water for their thirst and the food for their hunger.
Because he was a follower of Jesus, too, he told me, “Somos familia; somos hermanos.” “We are family; we are brothers ….”
… He was desperate to protect his little girl.
I cannot wrap my mind around this…my brother died today — trying to save his family.
May Christ have mercy on us.

As always, Alan, thanks for your clarion voice and call to engage. May we all see.

June 26, 2019 12:20 am

Tarheel_Dave

Hey Alan. Good to hear from you. Hope you are well.

I too weep over that picture.

In fact its the human toll that years of terrible and lax immigration policy brings that leads me to the political positions i hold regarding illegal immigration.

Thousands of children and women trafficked and sexually exploited by coyotes using the hope of “a better life” as bait to ensnare, People attempting to swim through rivers because they think just simply getting to America means you stay in America.

It is my view that better, smarter, and yes more difficult to achieve or evade immigration policies are better – not worse for the advancement of human dignity. The current and decades long system of, including but not limited to, “rewarding” illegal immigration behaviors leads to pics of what is referenced here and *worse*. Its past time for our congress and Presidents to fix this mess regardless of party.

Its time for. Republicans to stop Incessantly blaming democrats while “keeping the issue” for elections rather than casting potentially politically costly votes to actually fix it (these are people getting hurt) and And it’s time for Democrats to stop blocking any even perceived “success” for Trump and displaying willingness to hurt anyone they have to (including BOTH legal.and illegal immigrants) to beat Donald Trump at any cost.

Let’s try to avoid making this about politics and keep it about human beings as best we can.

June 26, 2019 1:06 am

L Lee

Good Luck!!! It is the politics that makes it so intractable.

June 26, 2019 1:29 am

Tarheel_Dave

Dave Miller,

I agree that the political issue of illegal immigration is, and has been for a long time, a crisis of human dignity.

I tried to articulate that. I apologize if I failed in that effort.

June 26, 2019 6:52 am

greg roberts

How do you suppose we fix this issue (supposing it is fixable) with out mentioning the 2 parties our nation has elected to fix it.

June 26, 2019 10:02 am

Zachary Stepp

Alan: I know this question is probably easier asked than answered, but as a practical matter, what can the average person actually do right now to help this situation? Where does one even start?

I am extremely grateful for Christian leaders like yourself and others who have been bringing attention to these issues on social media. I’m also extremely grateful for churches and ministries, both along the border and elsewhere, who are working directly to help this situation. But at the same time, the quagmire of laws, regulations, overlapping governing bodies, politics, and societal conflicts can make the problem feel impenetrable.

What practical advice would you give to your Average Joe Christian or random small church somewhere else in the country who wants to help in some way? Where do you even begin?

June 26, 2019 6:15 am

Scott H

I think it might be helpful for Alan to write what specific actions he believes will solve this problem (a tall order to be sure).

1) He does mention the SBC having some collective effort but he doesn’t detail who would do this (NAMB perhaps) or how it would be organized or how to involve churches.. Or would this be better in a cross denomination format cooperating with other groups like AG, EV Free, Nazarenes and others. And what would they do to try to prevent future tragedies like the one described above

2) And what can churches do in their own communities to help immigrants not just meet immediate temporary needs (tonight’s meal), not become chained permanently to government assistance,, not become isolated from the rest of the community, but to help immigrants assimilate into their communities, become believers, become independent of government assistance, and subsequently or concurrently discover God’s purposes for their lives.

Answering these two questions probably goes beyond the scope of a reply to the comment but more to future articles I would think.There are also other questions that could be addressed as well.

June 26, 2019 6:21 am

David

Hello Alan! Thank you for your post and for the opportunity to share ideas among the redeemed.

As a follower of Jesus, I too am saddened by the awful conditions at the border that has claimed two more precious lives, Oscar and Valeria. However, I see the situation from a different perspective. The unnecessary loss of life is unfortunate, and yet it occurred because they attempted to enter the country illegally. They are being encouraged to violate the laws of our country by claiming they are seeking asylum.

No doubt, the church is absolutely responsible for helping any who are here, regardless of how they got arrived. However, the church should never encourage or support the breaking of laws, unless the law contradicts the Law of God. There is a lawful process for those who seek refuge, asylum or simply want to work. Come through the border stations as prescribed by the law. Every country that exists has border laws, America’s border laws are filled with incredible loopholes, and yet we have been compassionate as a country, even to those are entering our country illegally.

I do not believe the answer to the situation is “open borders,” no limitations, no restrictions, requirements. That will most certainly destroy this country.

I continue to pray that we the church will care for those who arrive legally or illegally, but the church should be extremely careful not to encourage illegal activity unless the government requires us to stop praying, preaching, or assembling as the people of God.

Continued blessings in Christ Jesus our Lord!
David

June 26, 2019 7:35 am

Kimberly

Where do you get that they are violating our laws by claiming to seek asylum? How do you know they aren’t actually just seeking asylum?

June 26, 2019 10:19 am

David Light

Heck, here’s the black-letter law on seeking asylum:

§ 1158. Asylum
(a) Authority to apply for asylum
(1) In general
Any alien who is physically present in the United States or who arrives in the United States (whether or not at a designated port of arrival and including an alien who is brought to the United States after having been interdicted in international or United States waters), irrespective of such alien’s status, may apply for asylum in accordance with this section or, where applicable, section 1225(b) of this title.

In light of this text, it’s hard to imagine that anyone is “violating our laws by claiming to seek asylum.” Seeking asylum is perfectly legal, regardless of whether your claim is ultimately granted.

Now that you’ve read the law of the land, I hope you’ll abandon the claim that asylum-seekers are somehow acting illegally — and maybe even speak up to correct people when you hear them spreading this falsehood.

I’m not sure where Mr. Cross advocated for open borders in his post. Mr. Cross and so many others are trying to put a face to the problem, a face very few of us who don’t live near the border will ever see.
Come to this country legally? I’m sure that will comfort his widow and her mother who watched them get swept down the river.
Mr. Cross is raising awareness. It’s something that should be done more and more and more.

June 26, 2019 11:53 am

Amy Downey

Last night I attended a lecture at the Dallas Holocaust Museum on the plight of refugees from 1938 to 1941. There was a Gallup poll taken in 1938 in which the American public disapproved by 94% of the German treatment of the Jewish people; BUT, only 21% wanted to expand the quotas for German Jews to come to America. Among those who could not receive Visas to America during this time were Otto, Edith, Margot and Anne Frank….

Yes, there was a political component back then. And there is a political problem today. But, the heart of the heart of the problem today regarding refugees is lack of heart among of the people – a people who often sing “Since Jesus Came Into My Heart” on Sunday.

June 26, 2019 10:19 am

Jim Pemberton

Our church goes into the neighborhoods where folks like this come and minister to them. In fact, we bought a bus, not to bring people to church, but to bring church to people.

My family, under the auspices of our church, has helped bring some of our Venezuelan friends into Mexico where they have received asylum. Other of our Venezuelan friends have come to the US on their own. (Most have gone to other South American countries, and a handful have stayed behind in Venezuela to minister to the Venezuelans who have stayed behind in their neighborhoods.) The ones who have come to the States already know some English, so it’s easier for them. For Spanish-only speakers, Mexico is a better option (as long as they find a less-dangerous town to settle in) since they can establish a home and some income quickly without having to learn a new language.

Without getting political, the best policy is anything that incentivizes refugees to make more reasonable decisions in finding a target location with regard to providing for their families.

Final principle: As churches, we should minister to immigrants without condemning people who have broken civil law out of a sense of desperation, but without teaching them that breaking civil law is acceptable Christian behavior.

June 26, 2019 11:51 am

Andy Williams

JIM: “As churches, we should minister to immigrants without condemning people who have broken civil law out of a sense of desperation, but without teaching them that breaking civil law is acceptable Christian behavior.“

I do not know how to “fix” our immigration system, but I think you are on to something with this statement.

When I read it, I thought of our local Christian-run Pregnancy center, which I know well, and is where My wife used to work. It, like many other across the country, expresses intentional live, care, help, and Gospel hope to women who have had abortions, who are considering abortion, or who find themselves pregnant due to their own mistakes. These centers, in my experience do a great job at expressing truth, while not issuing condemnation. Most women who interact with theses centers testify of being cared for, not looked down on for their sins. Even while the whole center is predicated on the idea that one course of actions is right, and one is wrong.

I think we would all agree that crossing a border illegally, especially if a family feared for their safety, is a LESS heinous error than taking the life of an unborn child. If we commend pregnancy centers for extending grace to the latter, we should not condemn churches who extend grace to the former.

-Andy

June 26, 2019 3:42 pm

Louis

The plight of billions around the world is something we should see, pray about, and act to alleviate to the extent we can do so.

These type issues, poverty, oppressive governments and related matters always bring up discussions about what can and should be done from a practical standpoint.

It’s very easy for these discussions to involve demagoguery and strong disagreements because people are going to disagree about whom we should help and how much.

The problem that nations face today in the migration crisis is new. Billions of people live in poverty and oppression. What the US, and citizens in the US, can and should do about that is a difficult question. As modes of transportation increase and access to transportation increases it’s not impossible to imagine hundreds of millions or a billion people come to the US to claim asylum. China alone has 1 billion people, all of whom live under an oppressive regime. If just 10% of the Chinese came to the US, that would be 100 million people. And there are many other oppressive nations. You can do the math.

I personally think it is most productive for us all to have hearts of compassion and to pray.

What we each decide to do with our own resources is our own calling.

What we advocate should be done with other people’s resources is also a question of judgment. None of us should claim divine light on that.

I would hope that we can be compassionate people without being judgmental.

June 26, 2019 12:19 pm

Bill M

There is bi-partisan blame for this issue

June 26, 2019 1:38 pm

Kimberly

I think at the very least we should all agree to begin/continue to pray for these people. Pray for their safety, their home countries, and that they be treated with dignity and as people of worth. We don’t have all the answers, but our God is Mighty and prayer works.

We should try to refer to them as brothers and sisters (with sincerity) more than we refer to them as illegal or migrant or refugee. Labels can be helpful descriptors, but they also designate an Other which distances ourselves from them. We need to see ourselves in these faces and we need to see our children’s faces in their children’s faces and be moved by the compassion we would hope someone would have on us in that situation.

We should talk about the situation. And not devolve into political blaming and finger pointing. Talk about the plight of the people coming. If we can lead the way in this, others views may change. People begin to care when people they respect begin to care. That will soften hard hearts. When people just hear the politics, they harden their hearts and choose sides, and our brothers and sisters and children at the border will lose every time.

We can blame politicians all day long, but if we don’t play their political games, they have no power to use the situation as a pawn. I do believe if both sides of citizens determine to put in the effort to care for and minister to these people ourselves, then we take back the power from politicians, improve the situations of our neighbors, and display the overwhelming love of God to the nation’s.

Thank you for the article. Your whole premise needs to be heard. We also need to understand it is only one part of the larger story. I wish there were a moral and humane way to weed out those who are out to hurt others (no matter how much of a minority in number they may be). I do not have that solution.

I will be returning to the states in a few months. This move has us moving back without a job to go to. What we do know is that we will be working with those in great need. Maybe it will be among those coming across the border seeking asylum. One of the things the church needs to know is, they do not have to go to the border to minister to and love these people in and to Christ. They are coming to us. They are finding cities all across America to call home. Cities are being impacted in ways they are not prepared for. This is a time and a call for the church to rise up and be the church. There is an orphan and widow thing in scripture that applies to this context.

My fear is… churches that won’t even go their own neighborhoods to reach the minorities around them will find no reason to reach out to those coming their way. God forgive us… Or maybe we should ask God to correct us. Whatever it takes.

Lord, let us rise to the occasion for Your name sake or close our doors.

June 27, 2019 4:18 am

Tarheel_Dave

This Satirical article demonstrates well the reality that immigration issues been around for a long time and both parties and presidents from both parties have utterly failed on the issue of immigration going back further than Trump, Obama, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Reagan, Carter, Ford, Nixon, LBJ, Kennedy, Ike, Truman….

Babylon Bee can be amusing but really, I don’t see the humor or helpfulness in this because it again begins the blaming and finger pointing that keeps us from helping these people and from making any traction with revising immigration policy and securing our borders. It has been around a long time, and both parties have blame. But we absolutely have to get past these things that rally one side against another.

You are right, it’s time to fix it.

June 27, 2019 4:24 pm

Tarheel_Dave

Yep. Generally, in todays political climate – Reps wanna “keep the issue” for their “base”….Dems just wanna stop and impede anything Trump wants to do. For their “base”….

Sadly, financial concerns usually outweigh human compassion. It’s too bad we can’t get the politicians to see, that with our graying society, welcoming all the immigrants we can might be our only hope of saving Social Security. Generally, it’s not senior citizens who make the trek across our Southern border. It’s younger people, often with children, and who will have more children after they get here. Even the most hard-hearted person who’s middle aged or greater should find this compelling.

June 27, 2019 3:20 pm

Bill Mac

This issue starkly illustrates the point that for many Christians, the “Christian” response is the Republican response. But since the Republican party has turned itself over to immoral and corrupt individuals, that becomes a problem. The cabals in Washington are going to continue to use these people as pawns. What will we do?

June 28, 2019 6:48 am

Tarheel_Dave

Bill, Quite respectfully – that is not accurate.

I’m not sure anyone here who has articulated a tough stand regarding political immigration policies has considered them to be the “Christian“ political policy… I know I have not… In fact I argue that much of what is being argued for as a politically solutions by Christians are actually an individual and local church mandate rather than a necessarily governmental one.

However, I often read others who hold different positions than I do regarding the political matters of immigration policy demean ( either by implication or direct wording) my position as a sub or even anti-Christian.

June 28, 2019 10:14 am

Bill Mac

Dave,
Then why do so many responses (not just here) sound like they come straight from Fox News? I see this all the time. People constantly conflating their faith with republican dogma. It wasn’t quite as bad when the republican party marginally stood for generic Christian values, but it is far worse now that they do not.

June 28, 2019 10:52 am

Tarheel_Dave

Oh I am not saying that people do not conflate conservative politics with Christianity… Most certainly many do… But it’s also true that many christians feel to be enlightened toward A more liberal political approach (Some of it could be identified as “CNN/MSNBC Democrat dogma”) – seeing things differently than a conservative point view – and they often imply or tell people who hold conservative political view points Regarding political immigration policy that they are holding sub Christian views… Or not seeing the issue as “Jesus does”.

In other words it’s not just “conservative Christians” who ascribe their political views (we are talking immigration here) with the *real* biblical/godly/real Christian ones and and attempt to impose their political ideology onto others.

This happens all across the spectrum.

June 28, 2019 11:43 am

Bill Mac

True, but conservative Christianity is where I and most of us here live and operate, and I see some really ugly things going on. I’ve taught men’s bible study for years, and I can’t get through a lesson without having to clamp down on inserting right wing politics into practically any discussion. I fear far too many Christians are more aware of the views of Hannity and Pirro than they are the views of Jesus or Peter.